Confirmed with Link: Arber Xhekaj Signed 2 years @ 1.3 AAV

[overlords]

should be mentioned that the number comes in just below Harris' 1.4m/year, despite the rising cap. Some message sending from HuGo

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

What? This is a two-year deal and you’re having reservations about the term? For two years? At 1.3 million?

This is a great chance for him to prove himself, and two years is the perfect amount of time to show he’s not injury prone.

My reservations on term are exactly that- if he takes that next step he’s going to ask for a lot more. And he’s probably looking at becoming a third pair LD.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Why would he sign for 5-6 years at 3M/yr?

The league average salary today, on a cap at 83.5M is 3.5M/yr.

In 2 years when the cap is higher, you think he's going to sign for up to 6 years at under the league average?

If that's the case, it will have meant that he was awful over the next 2 years lol

I get your point, but I have one precision to make. The "weighted average AAV" that you cite is skewed by the few at the top. To guage if one is better than average calibre, it is better to use the median salary, which is around $2.45M. Half the players make more than median, and half less.

The best thing he can do for his career, is to get away as much as possible, from this tag.

......

Become so feared and so valuable, that no one wants to even test you.

Larry Robinson 2.0

 

[Benstheman]

My reservations on term are exactly that- if he takes that next step he’s going to ask for a lot more. And he’s probably looking at becoming a third pair LD.

Some here think he will sign for much more than 3M$ per after his bridge deal.

 

[417]

It depends. You think he will be a top 4 D?? If so, yes he will make more.

But i seriously doubt it. I still think he will be a bottom pair D with interesting qualities. But top 4?? That means he would do it at the expense of two of Guhle, Matheson, Hutson... Good luck with that.

And how do you pay a bottom pair D?

I think he has the potential to be a top 4D that's if he reaches his potential, which I admit is far from a sure thing.

I just don't know why he'd sign a deal up to 6 years at 3M/yr even IF he's a bottom pair Dman.

Hell, some bottom pair Dmen make that today...in 2 years when the cap is bigger, it would be odd to settle for so little when the market indicates he can make more.

 

[BLONG7]

should be mentioned that the number comes in just below Harris' 1.4m/year, despite the rising cap. Some message sending from HuGo

The Sherriff needs to stay healthy, and play well for 2 seasons...............then he will get a much better shot at a payday of sorts.

This is a good deal for both sides.
Hughes is doing a fantastic job managing the cap and players values.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Some here think he will sign for much more than 3M$ per after his bridge deal.

Maybe elsewhere. He’s got a lot of work to do in developing his D game to be a top 4 guy. He would also have to beat out Hutson and maybe even Engstrom who I feel is underrated and almost forgotten.

I’d be more inclined to try him as a bottom 6 winger to play with his bro in a couple years.

 

[rickthegoon]

should be mentioned that the number comes in just below Harris' 1.4m/year, despite the rising cap. Some message sending from HuGo

Yeah, that part I don’t understand. I can’t imagine one single gm in the league wanting to give bigger assets for Harris over Xhekaj.
So, I don’t understand the message management is sending.

 

[Benstheman]

I think he has the potential to be a top 4D that's if he reaches his potential, which I admit is far from a sure thing.

I just don't know why he'd sign a deal up to 6 years at 3M/yr even IF he's a bottom pair Dman.

Hell, some bottom pair Dmen make that today...in 2 years when the cap is bigger, it would be odd to settle for so little when the market indicates he can make more.

After his 2 years bridge, he will be 1 year away from UFA status and will start his new contract at 26 yo. Those physical players who fight alot, try to reach for longer term because they get injured alot and know their career can be shortened. He will absolutely wants to sign at least 5 years.

 

[Tyson]

Maybe elsewhere. He’s got a lot of work to do in developing his D game to be a top 4 guy. He would also have to beat out Hutson and maybe even Engstrom who I feel is underrated and almost forgotten.

I’d be more inclined to try him as a bottom 6 winger to play with his bro in a couple years.

Teams are on the look out more and more for players who can play and play tough.
Xhekaj will not play up front and will probably end up as a bottom pairing D who can play 15-17 minutes per night.
Intimidation is still part of the game. I can see Rempe ramming Habs players and having Engstrom come to the rescue. Xhekaj brings something no other player in the organization comes remotely close to bringing.

 

[Team_Spirit]

1 way deal, well deserved Jackeye

 

[DAChampion]

Better pay than Costco.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Teams are on the look out more and more for players who can play and play tough.
Xhekaj will not play up front and will probably end up as a bottom pairing D who can play 15-17 minutes per night.
Intimidation is still part of the game. I can see Rempe ramming Habs players and having Engstrom come to the rescue. Xhekaj brings something no other player in the organization comes remotely close to bringing.

The game is getting too fast to have Defensive liabilities. If he improves his D game enough I’m all for it. But Rempe as an example? The dude is going to play less than ten minutes a night. And with our future PP with Demidov and Hutson, go ahead Rempe. We’ll just make them
Pay

 

[Benstheman]

I get your point, but I have one precision to make. The "weighted average AAV" that you cite is skewed by the few at the top. To guage if one is better than average calibre, it is better to use the median salary, which is around $2.45M. Half the players make more than median, and half less.



Larry Robinson 2.0

Would be interesting to see what is the average salary for a bottom 6 D.

 

[BLONG7]

Costco Approved !!

 

[rickthegoon]

Anyhow, now that he’s locked for 2 years, my hope is that the coaching staff helps him develop his skills.
What I would like to happen is to gradually turn him into a PK specialist. Everyone on this board either wants or thinks Savard is on his way out at the tdl…. someone needs to take these minutes on the pk and I think Ghule is already overused for his own good. Matheson is a complete catastrophy on the pk. I don’t see Hutson being used in that role, and don’t think either Reinbacher or Mailloux will crack the lineup to start the season.
Xhekaj will likely continue to crush people with his massive hits, and will certainly continue to defend his teammates.
If he can cut the rest of his penalties, while continuing to dish out controlled violence, that would be a great improvement.

 

[Beaker]

Great deal for Habs… I would’ve happily given more.

 

[overlords]

1 way deal, well deserved Jackeye

View attachment 898026

I've wanted to do a xhekaj habs jersey with the kirkland brand patch as the 'sponsor' forever.

 

[417]

I get your point, but I have one precision to make. The "weighted average AAV" that you cite is skewed by the few at the top. To guage if one is better than average calibre, it is better to use the median salary, which is around $2.45M. Half the players make more than median, and half less.

Thank you for the correction lol but I don't think it changes my point much.

 

[YukonCornelius 5thOA]

should be mentioned that the number comes in just below Harris' 1.4m/year, despite the rising cap. Some message sending from HuGo

Message is that guys that have never played in the AHL make more?

 

[The Real Timo]

I think X is 5-6D man with some offensive upside and a huge physical upside, which Habs haven't had since... I don't even remember when. So any expectation should be about him being a steady force on the 2nd or mostly 3rd pair and policing this midget squad. That has to have it's price too. I do hope though that X can solidify a spot in the second pair and be with Habs for the next decade at least.

 

[Tyson]

The game is getting too fast to have Defensive liabilities. If he improves his D game enough I’m all for it. But Rempe as an example? The dude is going to play less than ten minutes a night. And with our future PP with Demidov and Hutson, go ahead Rempe. We’ll just make them
Pay

Xhekaj is a solid skater who can actually play. Yes goons like Rempe might play 8 minutes per game but it is still a game of intimidation. Imagine having a player like Xhekaj who is just as tough as any good in the league but can also play close to 20 minutes per night?

 

[overlords]

Message is that guys that have never played in the AHL make more?

That was reportedly for injury stuff, wasn't it? Besides, there's little chance Harris does what Arber did for Laval even if he had been sent down for any arbitrary reason.

But I do think it's a good way for us to visualize the totem pole from management's perspective.

 

[Benstheman]

I think X is 5-6D man with some offensive upside and a huge physical upside, which Habs haven't had since... I don't even remember when. So any expectation should be about him being a steady force on the 2nd or mostly 3rd pair and policing this midget squad. That has to have it's price too. I do hope though that X can solidify a spot in the second pair and be with Habs for the next decade at least.

Unless he overexceeds his ceiling/potential, there is now way he plays 2nd pair in Mtl.

 

[Whitesnake]

Perfect contract for both. Win-win.